27:19
To Sulayman were marshalled his forces of jinn and men and birds,
and set in battle array.When they came to theValley of theAnts, an ant
said: 'O ants, go into your dwellings lest Sulayman and his warriors
should unwittingly crush you.'
Sulayman smiled at her words, and said: 'Inspire me, Lord, to
render thanks for the favours You have bestowed on me and on my
parents, and to do good works that will please You, Include me,
throughYour mercy, amongYour righteous servants.'
He inspected his birds and said. 'Why is it that I do not see the
Hoopoe here? Or is he one of the absentees? If he does not give me a
good excuse, I shall sternly punish himor even slay him.'
The bird, who was not long in coming, said: ‘I have just seen what
you know nothing of. With truthful news I come to you from Sheba.
There I found a woman reigning over the people. She is possessed of
every virtue and has a splendid throne. But she and her subjects
worship the sun instead of Allah. Satan has made their deeds seem
pleasing to them and debarred them from the right path. They are not
well-guided, and they are kept away from worshipping Allah, who
brings to light all that is concealed in heaven and earth and knows
what you hide and what you reveal.Allah; there is no god but Him, the
Lord of the Glorious Throne.'
Sulayman replied: 'We shall soon see if what you say is true or false.
Go and deliver to them this message of mine. Then turn aside and wait
their answer.'
The Queen (of Sheba) said: 'Know, my nobles, that a gracious
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THE ANT
THE QURAN